Answer sheets

ABSTRACT

A set of answer sheets for use with an automatic test grading device of the type wherein stacked answer sheets are held by pin means in a position for scanning of answer indication areas placed upon each answer sheet and wherein the scanned answer sheets are fed seriatim from the stack. Each answer sheet has a registration edge and answer indication areas of a predetermined configuration, which answer indication areas are placed upon each sheet in a prescribed relationship to the registration edge. Each answer sheet contains an aperture which is positioned in a prescribed relationship to the answer indication areas and is positioned in a prescribed relationship to and closely adjacent the registration edge. The aperture edge and the registration edge define a holding strip of varying width between the aperture and the registration edge, wherein the narrowest portion of the holding strip defines a separation region of a predetermined width between the aperture and the registration edge. For 4 mil thick sheets the separation region is approximately 22 mils wide. Portions of the aperture edge are shaped for registering each sheet with a pin means adjacent the separation region. Portions of the aperture edge in common with the holding strip and adjacent the registering portions of the aperture edge on opposite sides of the registering portions from the separation region define two clearance edges. The two clearance edges converge toward each other in a direction toward the registration edge and thereby enable the holding strip to deflect to concentrate tension in the separation region when the holding strip of a registered sheet is forced against the pin means. The two clearance edges are preferably straight edges.

United States Patent 3 1 1 Rechdahl et al.

[54] ANSWER SHEETS [75] Inventors: Segwald J. Rechdahl, Fridley; DonaldW. Folske, Oakdale, both of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, Saint Paul,Minn.

22 Filed: July 21,1971

[21] Appl. No.: 164,796

I Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.869,002, Oct. 24,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl...... ..35/48 A, 402/79 [51] Int. Cl. ..G09b B23b [58] Fieldof Search ..35/48; 271/36, 61; 402/79 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,203,116 8/1965 Shaw et a]. ..35/48 A 1,242,019 10/1917Moore 2,391,125 12/1945 Carpenter ..402/79 ABSTRACT A set of answersheets for use with an automatic test grading device of the type whereinstacked answer [11] 3,710,457 51' Jan. 16, 1973 sheets are held by pinmeans in a position for scanning of answer indication areas placed uponeach answer sheet and wherein the scanned answer sheets are fed seriatimfrom the stack. Each answersheet has a registration edge and answerindication areas of a predetermined configuration, which answerindication areas are placed upon each sheet in a prescribed relationshipto the registration edge. Each, answer sheet contains an aperture whichis positioned in a prescribed relationship to the answer indicationareas and is positioned in a prescribed relationship to and closelyadjacent the registration edge. The aperture edge and the registrationedge define a holding strip of varying width between the aperture andthe registration edge, wherein the narrowest portion of the holdingstrip defines a separation region of a predetermined width between theaperture and the registration edge. For 4 mil thick sheets theseparation region is approximately 22 mils wide. Portions of theaperture edge are shaped for registering each sheet with a pin meansadjacent the separation region. Portions of the aperture edge in commonwith the holding strip and adjacent the registering portions of theaperture edge on opposite sides of the registering portions from theseparation region define two clearance edges. The two clearance edgesconverge toward each other in a direction toward the registration edgeand thereby enable the holding strip to deflect to concentrate tensionin the separation region whenv the holding strip of a re gistered sheetis forced against the pin means. The two clearance edges are preferablystraight edges.

11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures A 6/4 A hkh'eheeemsze N\ n o n T n n n n nn n T n 0 T ill u u U u u u u u u u u u U u n T n o n n n n n n T n n Tn u U u U \L U u U U u u U U U U n n n n n T n n n T n n tr) 0 n U U 1L0 u u u u U U U u U n n n n n n n o H n n n n n u u U' u 0 J; u \L u u uu u u n n n n n n n n n n n n n n U U u U U U 3 U U U U u u u L l I 1ANSWER SHEETS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application isa continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 869,002,filed Oct. 24, 1969 now abandoned. This application is related to thecopending application filed by John L. Roche on Feb. 10, 1069, Ser. No.798,016, now US. Pat. No. 3,601,906, and to the application filed by thepresent inventors on Oct. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 868,996, now US. Pat. No.3,586,318.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an answersheet for use with a test grading device, and is particularly directedto an answer sheet for use with a test grading device of the typewherein a stack of answer sheets is held by pin means in a position forscanning of the answer indication areas which are placed on each answersheet, and wherein the scanned answer sheets are fed seriatim from thestack for removal from the scanning position. A test grading device ofthis particular type is described in US. Pat. application Ser. No.798,016 by Roche, filed on Feb. 10,1969.

In accordance with the description of the test grading device set forthin the Roche application, a stack of answer sheets, each having apredetermined configuration of answer indication areas placed thereon ina prescribed relationship to a registration edge of the sheet, is placedon supporting means in a givenlposition for the scanning of the answerindication areas of each sheet. This given position is defined by guidemeans such as bars which are disposed adjacent the supporting means.Once the stack of sheets is in the given position, a pin means such as asharpened needle-like pin is driven through the stack in order to holdthe sheets in the given position. The answer indication areas of theoutside sheet in the stack are scanned and the answer indications whichare sensed in the scanned answer indication areas are compared withanswer indications sensed from corresponding answer indication areas ofan answer key. From such comparisons, each answer sheet is scored.Following the scanning of each sheet, the scanned sheet is engaged byremoval means, such as feed means, which feed the scanned sheet from the1 pin, thereby removing the scanned sheet from the scanning position.

The predetermined configuration of answer indication areas is placedupon the answer sheet in a prescribed relationship to the registrationedge of the sheet so that the scanning of the answer indication areas oftheanswer sheet is synchronized with the scanning of the correspondinganswer indication areas of the answer key. The answer key has a finedposition in relation to the guide means and in relation to the stackholding position of the pin means. The degree to which each answer sheetof a stack can be placed in a position corresponding with the positionof the other sheets in the stack, or-can be positioned for insuring thatthe scanning of the answer indication areas of each answer sheet issynchronized with the scanning of the corresponding answer indicationareas of an answer key, is limited by human ability and diligence inuniformly stacking the sheets when placing them against the guidemeans'and by the holding capability of the pin means. 1

Certain difficulties have arisen in the use of the above-describedanswer sheet of the prior art. For example, when the sheets areseparated from the needlelike pin means, the tearing is ragged and thereis an appreciable residue of debris resulting from the tearing. Whenlarger pin means are used, multiple tearing of the sheets also results.Also, there is a tendency of the priorart answer sheets to either bedoublefed or mis-fed from the given position upon operation of thefeeding means.

It is desirablethat the answer sheets have characteristics which tend toreduce the probability of double feeding or mis-feeding thereof.

It is also desirable that each sheet consistently tear in a definedseparation region having a predetermined width, thereby minimizing therange of the predetermined feeding force.

It is additionally desirable that the tearing of each sheet not beragged since ragged tearing inhibits uniform stacking of fed sheets forscanning of the opposite surface thereof with a second registration edgepositioned against the guide-means.

It is further desirable that the residue of debris resulting from'thetearing be appreciably minimized since the debris tends to inhibitconsistent feeding of the remaining answer sheets.

It is still further desirable that an answer sheet having I theaforementioned characteristics be capable of being positioned forsynchronized scanning of the answer indication areas placed thereon,with the corresponding answer indication areas of an answer key.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides that in a set ofanswer 7 sheet with a pin means adjacent a separation region of apredetermined width between the aperture and the registration edge. Theaperture is positioned in a prescribed relationship to the answerindication areas of the answer sheet in order to assure synchronizedscanning of the corresponding answer indication areas of the answersheet and the answer key. The aperture is positioned in a prescribedrelationship to and closely adjacent the registration edge of the sheetfor defining a holding strip of varying width between the aperture andthe registration edge. The narrowest portion of the holding stripdefines the separation region, the preferable predetermined width ofwhich is approximately 22 mils. Portions of the aperture in common withthe holding strip and adjacent the registering portions of the apertureedge on opposite sides of the registering portions from the separationregion define two clearance edges. The two clearance edges convergetoward each otherin a direction toward the registration edge forenabling the holding strip to deflect to concentrate tension in theseparation region when the holdingstrip of a predetermined force,reliability of feeding is increased, each fed sheet is consistently andmore cleanly mm in the separation region, and the residue of debris isappreciably reduced.

Concentration of tension in the separation region is increased byproviding that the two clearance edges be straight edges.

It is preferred that the aperture be centered along the registrationedge of the sheet so that the changes in paper size due to changes inhumidity and the like are equally distributed from the center of theanswer sheets, thereby minimizing any departure from exactsynchronization of the corresponding answer indication areas of theanswer sheet and the answer key.

It is also preferred that the registration edge is a straight edge andthat the aperture is symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to theregistration edge.

The reliability with which answer sheets may be registered in and fedfrom the test grading device may be further increased by providingcertain combinations of various species of answer sheets, pin means andfeed means. The features of some of these combinations are set forth inthe following discussion of a sheet and sheet registration and feedingapparatus combination, which is the subject of the above referenced U.S.patent by the present inventors. This sheet and sheet registration andfeeding apparatus combination which may include sheets other than answersheets, improves reliability in sheet registration and feeding byproviding certain features in the pin means and feed means which areused in combination with a stacked set of sheets such as the set ofanswer sheets of the present invention. Such reliability is alsoimproved by providing certain additional features in the set of sheetsin relation to the particular pin means and feed means with which thesheets are combined.

In accordance with the aforesaid combination, which includes sheetsaccording to the present invention and pin means shaped for registrationwith the registering portions of the aperture edge of each sheet, thefeed means are positioned for engaging the outside sheet of a registeredstack of sheets and for feeding the engaged sheet from the registeredstack with a predetermined force. The feed means include feed legs whichare positioned on each side of the pin means for engaging the outsideregistered sheet at positions adjacent the registration edge beyond eachside of the aperture; and the feed legs are spaced apart by apredetermined distance for causing deflection of the holding strip toconcentrate tension in the separation region when the holding strip isforced against the pin means by the feed legs feeding the registered andengaged sheet from the stack. The feed legs are also spaced apart by apredetermined distance for enabling the feeding of the engaged sheetfrom the stack; that is, the feed legs must be placed close enoughtogether to cause sufficient force to be applied between the holdingstrip and the pin means to enable the tearingof the holding strip uponthe operation of the feed means. If the feed legs are not placed closeenough together to provide this sufficient force relationship betweenthe holding strip and the pin means, the feed legs may ride over or bendthe registered sheet rather than feed the registered sheet from thegiven position.

The feed means include elements on the feed legs for engaging the feedlegs with the registration edge of an outside registered sheet forenabling the feed legs to push against the engaged registration edge tofeed the engaged sheet from a registered stack, and for applying a forceto compress the stack for aligning the registration edge of the outsideregistered sheet with the feed legs to enable the engagement of the feedlegs with the registration edge. Absent the compression of the stack,the registration edge of a sheet may be bent so that the registrationedge is not aligned for engagement with both feed legs.

The feed legs are variably disposed to the holding means for the stackin response to variations in the size of the stack; and the feed meansinclude spring means for providing the force which is applied forcompressing the stack of sheets. These spring means are operativelyresponsive to a variation in the disposition of the-feed legs inresponse to a reduction in the size of the stack for decreasing theprovided applied compressive force as the size of the stack is reduced.

In an embodiment wherein each sheet is of a predetermined thickness,each feed leg includes a step for applying the force for compressing thestack and for engaging the registration edge of the outside registeredsheet. Each step comprises a plate having a surface disposed forpressing against the exposed surface of the outside registered sheetadjacent the registration edge thereof, for applying the compressiveforce and a riser joined to the pressing surface of the plate, forengaging the registration edge of the outside registered sheet and forpushing against the registration edge to feed the engaged outsideregistered sheet from the stack upon the operation of the feeding means.The thickness of the step provided by the riser is not greater than thethickness of each sheet. The thickness of the step provided by the riseris defined as the distance between the plate and the position where theriser contacts the registration edge of the outside registered sheet.

It is preferred that the riser have a V-shaped edge for pushing againstthe registration edge of the outside registered sheet. The surface ofthe riser which is joined to the pressing surface of the plate isdisposed at an acute angle to the pressing surface and the thickness ofthe step provided by the riser is less than the thickness of each step.However, the thickness of the riser is slightly greater than thethickness of each sheet. The thickness of the riser is defined as thedistance between the ends of the arms of the V.

In one preferred embodiment, the registration edge of each sheet issmooth for enabling penetration of the registration edge of the outsideregistered sheet by the V-shaped riser edge and for enabling holding bythe registration edge of the penetrating riser edge. A smooth edge isdefined as the type of edge obtained when cutting paper with a sharpenedguillotine cutter or sharpened slitter cutter, in contrast to the typeof edge obtained by cutting paper with a dull slitter cutter or a dullguillotine cutter.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein each sheet is of a given widthbetween the aperture and the edge opposite the registration edge, meansare provided for When the feed legs including the above-described stepsare used in combination with the above-described sequence-maintainingmeans, the force provided by the plate to a sheet during feedingprevents buckling of the sheet near the registration edge thereof.

It is preferred that the two clearance edges are straight edges; thatthe pin means has a curved holding surface and that the pin means isdisposed for registering the curved holding surface with the twostraight edges. It is also preferred that the aperture of each sheet isan isoceles triangle with the vertex adjacent the separation region andwith the base parallel to the registration edge; that the pin means havea semi-circular holding surface and that the pin means is disposed forregistering the flat surface of the pin means with the base of theaperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the registering portions ofthe aperture edge are slightly larger'than the corresponding dimensionsof the pin means, thereby preventing a snug registration; and the feedlegs are disposed for dragging across the outside registered sheetduring an interval between the feeding of the fed sheet and theengagement of the next outside registered sheet, which dragging providesa small opening between the pin means and the holding strip of theoutside registered sheet.

A snug registration is undesirable for the following reasons. A snugregistration makes the registering of the sheets on the pin means moredifficult; a snug registration impedes compression of the sheets foraligning the registration edge of the sheets with each step of the feedlegs; a snug registration increases the likelihood of tearing the edgesof the aperture while registering the sheets on the pin means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates an answer sheet of aset of answer sheets accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective a sheet registration and feedingapparatus in combination with a set of answer sheets according to thepresent invention, such as the answer sheet illustrated in FIG. 1. InFIG. 2, the answer indication areas are not shown on the answer sheet.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the sheet registration and feedingapparatus and answer sheet set combination illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the feed means shown in the sheet registrationand feedingapparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along and in the direction of line 5-5in FIG. 4, which view illustrates a feed leg with a step attachedthereto for compressing a set of stacked registered answer sheets andfor engaging the outside sheet of the registered stack.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of feed legs for engagingand feeding the outside sheet of the registered stack, which embodimentis alternative to that shown in FIGS. 2-5.

FIGS. 7a-7e illustrate various alternative embodiments of theregistration edge, aperture and holding strip of an answer sheetaccording to the present invention. Pin means for registration with theillustrated apertures are shown by dashed line. I

FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the aperture andclearance edges of an answer sheet according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, an answersheet, ofa set of answer sheets according to the present invention, hasanswer indication areas placed thereon for questions l25. Thepredetermined configuration of answer indication areas areplaced in aprescribed relationship to the registration edge 10 of the answer sheetso that the scanning of the corresponding answer indication areas of theanswer sheet and an answer key is synchronized.

The answer sheet contains an aperture 12 positioned in a prescribedrelationship to the answer indication areas, thereby insuringsynchronized scanning when the answer sheet is registered on pin meanssuch as the pin means 14 shown by dashed line in FIG. 1. The aperture 12is positioned in a prescribed relationship to and closely adjacent theregistration edge 10. The aperture edge 13 and the registration edge 10define a holding strip 16 of varying width between the aperture 12 andthe registration edge 10. The narrowest portion of the holding strip 16defines a separation region 18 of a predetermined width between theaperture 12 and the registration edge 10. The aperture 12 is symmetricalabout a line 20 which is perpendicular to the registration edge 10. Theseparation region 18 lies along this line 20.

It is seen that portions of the aperture edge 13 are shaped forregistering the answer sheet with the pin means 14 adjacent theseparation region 18. Two portions of the aperture edge 13 in commonwith the hold ing strip 16 and adjacent the registering portions 21 onopposite sidesof the registering portions 21 from the separation region18 define two clearance edges 22. The two clearance edges 22 convergetoward each other in a direction toward theregistration edge 10 andthereby enable the holding strip 16 to deflect to concentrate tension inthe separation region 18 when the holding strip 16 is forced against thepin means 14.

In the preferred embodiment, the clearance edges 22 are straight edgesand the aperture 12 is centered along the registration edge 10.

The preferred embodiment of the set of answer sheets of the presentinvention may be registered with a pin means 14, such as a pin having asemi-circular crosssectional dimension, wherein the diameter is 0.250inches (approximately 6.4 millimeters) and be fed by feed means whichfeed the answer sheets with a predetermined force which is in the rangeof 20 to 25. ounces (approximately 5.6 to 7.0 newtons). This preferredembodiment comprises a paper sheet approximately 4 mils (approximately0.1 mm) thick in which the aperture 12 is an isoceles triangle having abase 05 inches (approximately 1.3 centimeters) in length paral- Ieltothe registration edge 10, and having a separation. region 18 of apredetermined width of approximately 22 mils (approximately 0.56millimeters) between the triangle vertex and the registration edge 10.We have found that for a 4 mil thick sheet the separation region width,which is stated to be approximately 22 mils, may be from 20 to 35 mils.The sheet is approximately 11 inches (approximately 28 centimeters)along the registration edge and has a given width between the aperturel2 and the edge 24 opposite the registration edge of approximately 4inches (approximately 10 centimeters). The height of the triangle is0.173 inches (approximately 4.4 millimeters). DATA brand OCR Bond 20 No.paper, available from International Paper Company of New York, N.Y., ispreferred, and all sheets in a set preferably have the fiber running inthe same direction in relation to the registration edge. The preferredanswer sheets have 82 percent reflectance and a 84 percent opacity for a4 mil thick sheet, which is sufficient to prevent marks on one surfaceof the answer sheet to be sensed by optical sensing means when scanningthe opposite surface of the answer sheet. The paper has an averagesmoothness of 112 Sheffield units.

In one preferred embodiment, answer indication areas are provided oneach surface of the answer sheet, and apertures 12 and 26 adjacentregistration edges 10 and 24, respectively, are provided, therebydoubling the question capacity of each answer sheet.

Answer indications are shown in various of the answer indication areasof the answer sheet of FIG. 1.

A set of answer sheets 30 is shown in combination with feed means 32 andholding means 34 in FIGS. 2-5. The holding means 34 comprises means 36,a table 38 and guide means such as the bars 40, for receiving andsupporting the set of sheets 30 in stacked registration with the pinmeans 36.

The pin means 36 prevent lateral movement of the sheets and the bars 40in combination with the pin means 36 prevents rotational movement of thesheets. The table 38 is slidably mounted on the frame 41 so that the pinmeans 36 can be pulled out from under the feed means 32 when a set ofsheets is registered on the pin means 36.

The feed means 32 comprises feed legs 42 and a spring 44 for providing apredetermined force to move the feed legs 42 for feeding answer sheetsfrom the stack 30. The feed legs 42 are positioned on each side of thepin means 36 at positions adjacent the registration edge 10 beyond eachside of the aperture 12. The feed legs 42 are attached by supportingmembers 46, 48 and 50 to a base plate (not shown) as described in theaforementioned US. Pat. Application by Roche. This base plate isslidably mounted in a holder (not shown) which is positioned in astationary relationship to the frames 41 supporting the holding means34. The apertures 52 in the supporting members 50 are for coupling thefeed means 32 to the base plate. The base plate and the feed means 32may be slidably positioned in either a cocked or a forward position. Thefeed means 32 is shown in the cocked position in FIGS. 25. The feed legs42 when operated move from this cocked position to a forward positionfor removing an answer sheet such as fed answer sheet 54 from theregistered stack 30 to a stopped position, such as that in which the fedsheet 54 is shown.

The feed means 32 include means such as steps 56 for engaging the feedlegs 42 with the registration edge 10 of an outside registered sheet 58of the stack 30 for enabling the feed legs 42 to push against theengaged outside registered sheet 58 to feed the engaged sheet 58 fromthe stack 30. The steps 56 also are means by which the feed means 32applies a force to compress the stack 30 for aligning the registrationedge 10 of the outside sheet 58 with the feed legs 42 to enable the feedlegs 42 to engage the registration edge 10.

The table 38 includes a bench 59 positioned beneath the cocked positionof the feed legs. The steps 56 rest on the bench 59 when no sheets areregistered on the pin means 36.

Each step 56 comprises a plate 60 and a riser 62. The plate 60 isdisposed for pressing against the exposed surface 64 of the outsideregistered sheet 58. The plate 60 is also disposed adjacent theregistration edge 10 of the outside registered sheet 58 to apply theforce for compressing the stack 30. This applied force is.provided byspring means such as the spring 66. The riser 62 is joined to thepressing surface 68 of the plate 60 for engaging the registration edge10 of the outside registered sheet 58 and for pushing against theregistration edge 10 to feed an engaged outside registered sheet 58 fromthe stack 30 upon the operation of the feeding means 32. Each sheet inthe stack 30 is of a predetermined thickness and the thickness of thestep provided by the riser 62 is not greater than the thickness of eachsheet of stack 30. The riser 62 has a V-shaped edge for pushing againstthe registration edge 10 of the outside registered sheet 58. It is seenin FIG. 5 that the surface 70 of the riser 62 which is joined to thepressing surface 68 of the plate 60 is disposed at an acute angle to thepressing surface 68. The thickness of the step provided by the riser 62is the distance between the point of the V where the riser engages theregistration edge 10 and the pressing surface 68 of the plate 60, thethickness of the riser 62, however, being the distance between the endsof the arms of the V". The thickness of the riser 62 is slightly greaterthan the thickness of each sheet of the stack 30. The registration edge10 of each sheet is preferably smooth for enabling the V-shaped edge ofthe riser 62 to penetrate the registration edge 10 for enablingregistration edge 10 to hold the penetrating edge of the riser 62. I

An alternative embodiment of the steps 56 is shown in FIG. 6. In thisalternative embodiment, the steps 72 are also attached to the feed legs42. However, in this embodiment the riser edge is a vertical surfaceprovided by member 74 adjacent the plate 76. The plate 76 is disposed ata slight angle to the horizontal surface of the outside registered sheet58 of the stack 30.

The force provided by the spring means 66 is transmitted to the feedlegs 42 by the supporting member 48. Referring to FIG. 2, it is seenthat the spring 66 is fastened to the supporting member 50 by fasteningmember 80. The other end of the spring 66 is fastened to an extension 82of the supporting member 48 which passes through an aperture 84 in thesupporting member 50. Extension 82 is' loosely pivotally connected tosupporting member 50 by means of pin 85. The feed legs 42 are therebyself-leveling so that each feed leg 42 can engage the registration edge10 of the outside registered sheet 58. It is seen by this combination ofspring means 66, supporting member 48 and feed legs 42 that the feedlegs 42 are variably disposed to the holding means 34 in response tovariations in the size of the registered stack 30 and that the springmeans 66 is operatively responsive to a variation in the disposition ofthe feed legs 42 in response to a reduction in size of the registeredstack 30 for decreasing the provided applied compressive force as thesize of the stack 30 is reduced.

The feed legs 42 are centered about the pin means 36 by supportingmember 46 and the rails 86.

Means are also provided for maintaining fed sheets such as sheet 54 inthe sequence in which stacked in the registered stack 30. Thesequence-maintaining means comprise a stop 88 which disposed on theholding means 34 for stopping movement of each fed sheet 54. Each sheetof the stack 30 is of a given width between the aperture 12 and the edge24 opposite the registration edge 10. The distance between the stop 88and the pin means 36 is less than approximately twice the given widthbetween the aperture l2 and the opposite edge 24. By so placing the stop88 this predetermined distance from the pin'means 36, the registrationedge of a fed sheet rests on and overlapping the opposite edge 24 of theoutside registered sheet 58 of the stack 30. Therefore, as each sheet 54is fed from the stack 30, it is positioned beneath the previously fedsheets 54 and the fed sheets are maintained in the same sequence as inwhich they were originally stacked.

The feed force of the feed means 32 is greater than the force requiredto separate the sheet at the separation region 18 plus the frictionalforce provided upon operation of the feed means 32 between the outsideregistered sheet 58 and the second registered sheet 78 due to thepressure provided by the plates 60.

When the sequence-maintaining means 88 is included, the feed force ofthe feed means 32 is greater than the force required to separate thesheets at the separation region 18 plus the frictional force providedupon operation of the'feed means 32 between the outside registered sheet58 and the second registered sheet,

78 due to the pressure provided by the plates 60 plus the frictionalresistance force due to the weight of the stack of the removed sheets 54in resting upon the sheets remaining in the stack 30.

Also, the coefficient of friction of the table 38 is preferably as largeas the coefficient of friction of each sheet in the stack 30.

The stiffness of each sheet is sufficient to prevent buckling of thebottom sheets of the stack 30'of a predetermined quantity of sheets,when the bottom sheets are fed from the pin means 36 beneath the stackof fed sheets 54.

For seriatim feeding of sheets having the dimensions set forthhereinabove for a set of answer sheets such as illustrated in FIG. 1,from pin means 36 also having the dimensions set forth hereinabove, theinside edges of the feed legs 42 are spaced apart by from 0.69 to 0.81inches (approximately 1.8 to 2.1 centimeters). The plates are each 0.38inches (approximately 9.7 millimeters) (parallel to the the registrationedge 10) by 0.5 inches (approximately 1.3 centimeters) and 0.06 inches(approximately 1.5 millimeters) thick.

The spring 44, when in a cocked position, provides a force in the rangeof from 25 to 30 ounces (7.0 to 8.3 newtons). When the feed means isoperated, the

predetermined feeding force provided at the feed legs tions and pinmeans 14 configurations according to the present invention providereliable sheet feeding. These various combinations are illustrated inFIG. 7. In all five configurations shown, as well as in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, the width of the separation region 18between the aperture 12 and the registration edge 10 is a predeterminedwidth. The registration edge may include a rectangular notch as shown inFIG. 7a, a curved groove 92 as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7d, or a slit 94 asshown in FIG. 7c. In the combination shown in FIG. 70, the predeterminedwidth of the separation re gion 18 is the distance between the aperture12 and the end of the slit 94 nearest the aperture 12.

The pin means 14 may be semi-circular, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7a, 7bor 7d, or round, as illustrated in FIGS.7c and 7e. Other pin shape-s mayalso be used, however, theillustrated shapes are preferred.

The combination of a pin having a curved surface with an aperture havingstraight edges such as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7a, 7b and 7c was foundto provide the best combination of reliable feeding and consistent cleanseparation in the separation region. Providing curved aperture edgesadjacent the holding strip 16 in combination with the pin having acurved surface such as is illustrated in FIGS. 7d and 7e also producesreliable feeding, however, the tears for the configuration illustratedin FIG. 7d, while consistently in the separation region, were sometimesragged.

The registration provided by the combination of FIG. 7d is less precisethan provided by the other combinations shown, but is acceptable whensynchronization tolerances permit less precise registration.

The important feature for all combinations of aperture l2 and pin means14 is that portions of the edge of the aperture 12 be shaped forregistering with the pin means 14 to prevent lateral movement of thesheet and that clearance edges 22 by provided to enable the] holdingstrip 16 to deflect to concentrate tension in the separation region whenthe pin means 14 is forced against the holding strip 16 upon theoperation of the feed means 32. Reliable feeding and clean, consistentseparation in the separation region is also improved by providing thatthe aperture 12 be symmetrical about an axis 20 which is perpendicularto the registration edge 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, the clearance edges 22 are extended into slits 95past the base edge 96 of the triangular-shaped aperture 12, and therebydefine a flap 97' which may deflect without tearing when the answersheets are positioned on pin means, such as the pin 14. Thisconstruction enables the size of the aperture 12 to be smaller inrelation to the size of the pin 14, thereby assuring better registrationof the answer sheet with the test grading device.

What is claimed is:

1. A set of answer sheets for use with a test grading device of the typewherein stacked answer sheets are held by pin means in a position forscanning of answer indication areas placed upon each answer sheet, andwherein said scanned answer sheets are fed seriatim with a predeterminedforce from said stack, each of the answer sheets being of apredetermined thickness and having a registration edge;

printed answer indication areas of a predetermined configuration placedupon the sheet in a prescribed relationship to the registration edge;and

an aperture positioned in a prescribed relationship to the answerindication areas and positioned in a prescribed relationship to andclosely adjacent the registration edge,

the aperture edge and the registration edge defining a holding strip ofvarying width between the aperture and the registration edge,

the narrowest portion of the holding strip defining a separation regionof a predetermined width between the aperture and the registration edge,and

two portions of the aperture edge in common with the holding strip mostremote from and on opposite sides of the separation region defining twoclearance edges;

characterized by the feature that each said sheet is approximately 4mils thick and has approximately a 22 mil wide separation region, and

the two clearance edges converge toward each other toward theregistration edge in directions which enable the holding strip todeflect to concentrate tension in the separation region when the holdingstrip of a said registered sheet is forced against a said pin means withsaid predetermined force.

2. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which the aperture iscentered along the registration edge of each sheet, characterized by thefeature that the aperture is an isoceles triangle with a vertex adjacentthe separation region, with a base of 0.5 inches parallel to theregistration edge and with a height of approximately 0.18 inches.

3. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which each answersheet has an average smoothness of 1 12 Sheffield units.

4. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which each answersheet has a stiffness of approximately 2.05 Taber stiffness units.

5. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which eachregistration edge is a smooth edge, such as the type of edge obtainedwhen cutting paper with a sharpened guillotine cutter or sharpenedslitter cutter, in contrast to the type of edge obtained by cuttingpaper with a dull slitter cutter or a dull guillotine cutter.

6. A set of answer sheets according to claim 5, in which each answersheet has an average smoothness of H2 Sheffield units and a stiffness ofapproximately 2;05 Taber stiffness units.

7. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, characterized by thefeature that each answer sheet contains two registration edges,positioned answer indication areas on each side of the sheet, and twoapertures correlated to the two registration edges.

A set of answer sheets according to claim 7, in

which each registration edge is a smooth edge such as the type of edgeobtained when cutting paper with a sharpened guillotine cutter orsharpened slitter cutter, in contrast to the type of edge obtained bycutting paper with a dull slitter cutter or a dull guillotine cutter;and in which each answer sheet has an average smoothness of 1 l2Sheffield units and a stiffness of approximately 2.05 Taber stiffnessunits.

9. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, wherein the separationregion width is within a range of from 20 to 35 mils.

10. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, wherein the aperture isiosceles triangular-shaped with the base edge of the triangle parallelto the registration edge, characterized by the feature that theclearance edges extend into slits beyond the base edge. and therebydefine a flap.

11. A method of preparing a set of answer sheets for use with a. testgrading device of the type wherein' stacked answer sheets are held bypin means in a position for scanning of answer indication areas placedupon each answer sheet, and wherein said scanned answer sheets are fedseriatim with a predetermined force from said stack, which methodcomprises printing answer indication areas of predeterminedconfiguration on 4 mils thick sheets; and cutting each sheet in aprescribed relation to the answer indication areas to form aregistration edge and an aperture, with the aperture positioned in aprescribed relationship to the answer indication areas and in aprescribed relationship to and closely adjacent the registration edge,so that a holding strip of varying-width is defined between the apertureand the registration edge, with two portions of the aperture edge incommon with the holding strip most remote from and on opposite sides ofthe separation region defining two clearance edges which converge towardeach other toward the registration edge in directions which enable theholding strip to deflect to concentrate tension in the separation regionwhen the holding strip of a said registered sheet is forced against asaid pin means with said predetermined force, and with the narrowestportion of the holding strip defining a separation regionofapproximately 22 mils between the aperture of the registration edge.

1. A set of answer sheets for use with a test grading device of the typewherein stacked answer sheets are held by pin means in a position forscanning of answer indication areas placed upon each answer sheet, andwherein said scanned answer sheets are fed seriatim with a predeterminedforce from said stack, each of the answer sheets being of apredetermined thickness and having a registration edge; printed answerindication areas of a predetermined configuration placed upon the sheetin a prescribed relationship to the registration edge; and an aperturepositioned in a prescribed relationship to the answer indication areasand positioned in a prescribed relationship to and closely adjacent theregistration edge, the aperture edge and the registration edge defininga holding strip of varying width between the aperture and theregistration edge, the narrowest portion of the holding strip defining aseparation region of a predetermined width between the aperture and theregistration edge, and two portions of the aperture edge in common withthe holding strip most remote from and on opposite sides of theseparation region defining two clearance edges; characterized by thefeature that each said sheet is approximately 4 mils thick and hasapproximately a 22 mil wide separation region, and the two clearanceedges converge toward each other toward the registration edge indirections which enable the holding strip to deflect to concentratetension in the separation region when the holding strip of a saidregistered sheet is forced against a said pin means with saidpredetermined force.
 2. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, inwhich the aperture is centered along the registration edge of eachsheet, characterized by the feature that the aperture is an isocelestriangle with a vertex adjacent the separation region, with a base of0.5 inches parallel to the registration edge and with a height ofapproximately 0.18 inches.
 3. A set of answer sheets according to claim1, in which each answer sheet has an average smoothness of 112 Sheffieldunits.
 4. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which eachanswer sheet has a stiffness of approximately 2.05 Taber stiffnessunits.
 5. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, in which eachregistration edge is a smooth edge, such as the type of edge obtainedwhen cutting paper with a sharpened guillotine cutter or sharpenedslitter cutter, in contrast to the type of edge obtained by cuttingpaper with a dull slitter cutter or a dull guillotine cutter.
 6. A setof answer sheets according to claim 5, in which each answer sheet has anaverage smoothness of 112 Sheffield units and a stiffness ofapproximately 2.05 Taber stiffness units.
 7. A set of answer sheetsaccording to claim 1, characterized by the feature that each answersheet contains two registration edges, positioned answer indicationareas on each side of the sheet, and two apertures correlated to the tworegistration edges.
 8. A set of answer sheets according to claim 7, inwhich each registration edge is a smooth edge such as the type of edgeobtained when cutting paper with a sharpened guillotine cutter orsharpened slitter cutter, in contrast to the type of edge obtained bycutting paper with a dull slitter cutter or a dull guillotine cutter;and in which each answer sheet has an average smoothness of 112Sheffield units and a stiffness of approximately 2.05 Taber stiffnessunits.
 9. A set of answer sheets according to claim 1, wherein theseparation region width is within a range of from 20 to 35 mils.
 10. AsEt of answer sheets according to claim 1, wherein the aperture isiosceles triangular-shaped with the base edge of the triangle parallelto the registration edge, characterized by the feature that theclearance edges extend into slits beyond the base edge and therebydefine a flap.
 11. A method of preparing a set of answer sheets for usewith a test grading device of the type wherein stacked answer sheets areheld by pin means in a position for scanning of answer indication areasplaced upon each answer sheet, and wherein said scanned answer sheetsare fed seriatim with a predetermined force from said stack, whichmethod comprises printing answer indication areas of predeterminedconfiguration on 4 mils thick sheets; and cutting each sheet in aprescribed relation to the answer indication areas to form aregistration edge and an aperture, with the aperture positioned in aprescribed relationship to the answer indication areas and in aprescribed relationship to and closely adjacent the registration edge,so that a holding strip of varying width is defined between the apertureand the registration edge, with two portions of the aperture edge incommon with the holding strip most remote from and on opposite sides ofthe separation region defining two clearance edges which converge towardeach other toward the registration edge in directions which enable theholding strip to deflect to concentrate tension in the separation regionwhen the holding strip of a said registered sheet is forced against asaid pin means with said predetermined force, and with the narrowestportion of the holding strip defining a separation region ofapproximately 22 mils between the aperture of the registration edge.